“You can’t be a good athlete and be a bad student,” Westfield State University track and field coach Sean O’Brien tells his athletes.
“You have to work at both of them.” Senior Naloti Palma has clearly taken that advice to heart, as she was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Female Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Palma, whose achievements include being a six-time national qualifier and an eight-time MASCAC shot put champion, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in ethnic and gender studies and liberal studies while carrying a 3.64 grade point average.
Capturing the female award gave Westfield State a sweep, as Travon Godette ’16 was chosen as the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. “It was a lot of work, and it was challenging,” says Palma. “Balancing school, clubs, track. I was always focusing on what needed attention first.”
“My plan is to go to law school,” Palma adds. “I plan to take a year off from school while I study for the entrance exams, and I
hope to intern in juvenile court and help coach my high school track team in the interim. I want to become an advocate for civil
rights, study civil rights law and social justice.”
Palma has been to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships six times, capping her career with All-America honors by finishing eighth in the nation this May.
“Naloti likes to compete,” says O’Brien. “She’s really been a staple of our program. She’s been ‘steady Eddie’ in the throws
and in big meets for us.”
Love of learning and persistence are common themes with Palma. She was active on campus, involved in clubs and in the community at large, and is an advocate for LGBT rights, serving as president of the Queer Straight Alliance. “Of the awards I received, I think I am proudest of the award I received from the QSA and the Adrian Rich Award for the ethnic and gender
studies major. To be recognized and receive those awards for what I want to do with my life is very cool.”
